Nearly 200 farmers and their family members are forced from their land due to violence between guerrillas and military in southwest Colombia, local media reported Monday.
The mayor of the rural town of Pradera, located in the Valle del Cauca department, said that villagers are in desperate need of humanitarian aid due to a large number of displacements.
“We were given mattresses and blankets, but it is still not known when these families may return to their homes, so are asking the cooperation of citizens,” said the mayor.
On Saturday, at least three soldiers were killed and four were injured in combat with FARC guerrillas.
The village of Pradera is an important strategic location in the Cauca region, where the FARC have carried out attacks for decades. Colombia’s Armed Forces are now carrying out Operation Troy 3, a military offensive with the aim of removing illegal armed groups from the area.